Morris Minor Owners Club

I am thinking of having my newly bought Morris Minor transported from Bristol to Glasgow in March rather than flying down there and driving it back. Depending really on the cost. Anyone know of any transport companies that would be interested?

When you know the date it will be ready, try shiply.com or anyvan.com. They offer the particular job around, and you may be lucky enough to find someone with an empty space on their transporter. In any case, firms will bid for your business. Be careful who you choose - there are some cowboys out there.

As a very rough guide, when I used to do this sort of thing as a part-time business, I'd have charged around £5-600.

If you're serious about driving it, make sure you have breakdown and full recovery insurance, and allow for at least 10-12 hours of driving, plus breaks.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin,

Good advice,

Ian

Hi Ian,

I was recently quoted £260 for a Morris on a one way trip from Newcastle to Machester. I got the contact information for the guy from Millennium Morris Minors in Manchester. He works all over the country so he might be able to give you a quote. If you want his number, either PM me or call Millennium in Manchester?

I've used anyvan before with good results but like Kevin says, you need to make sure they have insurance for what you're asking them to transport.

David

If you insure with RH Classics you will get free breakdown recovery and even with a flight/train/bus fare and 2/3 tanks of fuel you will save yourself a few £'s and learn the quirks of driving your own Morris 1000 and I bet you arrive home with a huge grin.

I drove mine from Norfolk to Yorkshire on 3 cylinders! much more fun than getting it transported!

The whole fun will be in driving it up the road! Bristol...sounds a bit ominous !!

i a framed mine from oxford to south wales without a problem ...

Not legal these days.... But certainly a trailer is an option - or a flat bed / recovery truck if you can borrow or hire one. Drive down overnight and back up next day - could do it easily on a 24 hour hire...

Have you seen and paid for the car?

Bought from Charles Ware. Not seen it physically but they have been sending me photos of the rebuild. Paid deposit, balance being paid soon. Ian

bmcecosse wrote: But certainly a trailer is an option - or a flat bed / recovery truck if you can borrow or hire one. Drive down overnight and back up next day - could do it easily on a 24 hour hire...

Oh, come off it. Thick end of 800 miles without a proper rest? And to do it within a 24 hour hire, without allowing much time for PL, Dispose, and PNBs (Roy will understand those terms)?

And when was driving up and down the M5 and M6 ever fun, in any weather, at any time of the year?

More seriously, a smaller and smaller proportion of car drivers have the necessary classes on their licence, or a car rated to tow even a Minor on a typical hired trailer. Not saying a little modern car won't be quite capable, but 400 miles gives plenty of chances to be tugged.

I'm not a believer in logarithmic money - £500 buys the same number of Mars Bars whether it's on top of a £12 bill or a £12k one - but I wouldn't let the cost be the only factor in deciding how to get it back from Bristol.

Kevin

Buying from CW should mean that the car will be of a good standard. I would fly down with Easyjet direct from £36 including tax
GLA BRS 8:40 arr 9:50 1h 10m and then drive it up to Scotland. When I drove back up from the National last year cost about £100 in fuel and just about 20 miles more to Bristol. Would be a lot cheaper than relying on someone driving up for you. I also drove my car up from Leamington to Inverkip the day I bought it. The fun is in the driving. Just make sure you get roadside recovery...

Bristol? The home of a well-known Minor specialist?

You'll be fine driving it home!

Seriously, though - if it's a 948 or 1098 then take it easy and check the oil every 200 miles. All will be fine. Use the A-roads or Motorways if it's happy at 60 MPH. (Assuming it's been run in if necessary beforehand).

Join the AA/RAC/Greenflag beforehand. Specify Relay cover. At seventy-odd pounds that is cheaper than recovery anyway.

As pointed out earlier - some insurance co's (certainly RH) include roadside and recovery with the policy. My suggestion with flat bed etc did rather assume two drivers taking 'spells'. I drove my ebay bought TR7 up from Oswestry - never missed a beat - it is the way to do it. Just keep the speed down to a steady 70 and pull in to every Services for a quick check under the bonnet. PM sent re 'Bristol'....

Steady 70??? My 1300 Aggro won't sit comfortably at that speed!

Well it's a sad 1275 if it can't do that. Time to have a good look at it!

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice and your thoughts.

The car has a 1275cc Marina engine, 5 speed gearbox, disc brakes, servo and series 3 seats with headrests. So should be good to drive.

It will be fully serviced and new MOT by Charles Ware so I think I will go for the Easyjet morning flight and the drive home as Ewan suggests.

I also have a 1998 Landrover Defender 90 300 series. So am in the AA with relay services. Used the relay twice over the life of the LR. Once when the spider packed up and once when the grub screw on the gear linkage came loose. Both common problems on the LR Defender!

That is another point does the AA cover a Morris Minor that is over 40 year old? I read somewhere the AA can refuse you membership if the car is over a certain age.

I can always stop off overnight somewhere if necessary. Obviously if the hotel has a secure carpark. Do not want to wake up in the morning and it is not there!!

Ewan, I see you are from Inverkip, I live in Lochgoilhead. Although in the Far East at the moment away from the cold Scottish winter, Brrrrrrrr! Pick the car up in march.

Ian

I should check with the AA before you start this journey that they will come out if need. I'm covered with the RAC under the MMOC Club insuranc scheme, and they came out when we broke down 2 miles from home. He got us going again and insisted on escorting us home to make sure we got there!

Deaconbrody wrote: That is another point does the AA cover a Morris Minor that is over 40 year old? I read somewhere the AA can refuse you membership if the car is over a certain age.

Our 1968 Saloon had a Brake Master Cylinder failure at Howden (thankfully before we joined the motorway) and it was fine for us. We are in the AA and this was last year so the car was over 40 years old